2.8-2.15 AP gov notes, AP Gov Topics 2.8-2.15 vocab

administrative discretion

The authority of administrative actors to select among various responses to a given problem. Discretion is greatest when routines, or standard operating procedures, do not fit a case.

budget and impoundment control, 1974

An Act to establish a new congressional budget process; to establish Committees on the Budget in each House; to establish a Congressional Budget Office; to establish a procedure providing congressional control over the impoundment of funds by the executive branch; and for other purposes

Compliance Monitoring

Activities undertaken to establish whether a process or procedure is carried out in conformance with relevant external requirements, whether set through legislation, regulations, or directions

defense

at criminal law, a legal position that allows the defendant to escape criminal liability

Duty Areas

Combat zones are designated by an Executive Order from the President as areas in which the U.S. Armed Forces are engaging or have engaged in combat. For a list of designated combat zones and hazardous duty areas, go to the IRS website.

education

A formal process of learning in which some people consciously teach while others adopt the social role of learner.

EPA

Environmental Protection Agency

FEC

Federal Election Commission

federal budget

a plan for the federal government's revenues and spending for the coming year

Federal Reserve

the central bank of the United States

Homeland Security

A concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States and reduce the country's vulnerability to terrorism

Monetarism Theory

A theory that government should control the money supply to encourage economic growth and restrain inflation.

monetary policy

Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and thus interest rates.

oversight

the effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies

Power of the Purse

Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money

SEC

Securities and Exchange Commission

state

An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government with control over its internal and foreign affairs.

transportation

The process by which passengers or goods are moved or delivered from one place to another.

Veterans Affairs

Department established in 1988 by President G.H. Bush.

competing interests

Parties work toward different goals in government

legislative veto

The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power

amicus curiae brief

Literally, a "friend of the court" brief, filed by an individual or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.

appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts

civil courts

a government institution that settles disputes between two or more entities, typically in the same courthouse that also tries criminal cases

courts of appeal (circuit courts)

if a party loses a case in federal district court he can appeal the decision to here

courts of origin

court of origin means the court which has given the judgment the recognition of which is invoked or the enforcement of which is sought.

criminal courts

determine the guilt or innocence of persons accused of committing a crime.

defendant

an individual or group being sued or charged with a crime

district courts

the lowest federal courts; federal trials can be h

Common Law

A legal system based on custom and court rulings

Concurring opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority in a Supreme Court ruling but differs on the reasoning.

Confirmation controversies

A controversy revolving around a potential candidate for either supreme court justice or federal judge. Sometimes they controversies might cause candidates to decline their new position.

Congressional Legislative Responses

Responses from the Judiciary to Legislature created by Congress. They will decide whether or not the legislature is constitutional.

dissenting opinion

A statement written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion, presenting his or her opinion

judicial activism

An interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)

Majority opinion

a statement that presents the views of the majority of supreme court justices regarding a case

Originalism

A view that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the original intentions or original meaning of the Framers. Many conservatives support this view.

Political Influence

Matters taken into account for developing public policies, allocating funds and other resources, and choosing among preferred alternatives

Presidential appointments

the power of the U.S. President to choose members of his or her cabinet, ambassadors to other nations, and other officials in his or her administration

Precedents

prior cases whose principles are used by judges as the bases for their decisions in present cases

Stare Decisis

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases

State Reactions

The responses of states to decisions found in the Supreme Court.

Statutory law

Law passed by the U.S. Congress or state legislatures

Administration law

rules and regulations set by government agencies

Cabinet Departments

The fifteen largest and most influential agencies of the federal bureaucracy (e.g., Department of State, Treasury, Justice…) Headed by Secretary or Attorney General (Department of Justice)

Civil Service

A system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and the desire to create a nonpartisan government service.

independent agencies

agencies in the executive branch of the federal government formed by Congress to help enforce laws and regulations not covered by the executive departments

iron triangles

A mutually dependent relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees. They dominate some areas of domestic policy making.

merit reforms

The idea that we should begin to hire Government employees that are qualified rather than family members or wealthy people.

Patronage

Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

Quasi-Executive Power

Management of the agency. The appointed agency head has executive responsibilities to lead and manage the agency.

quasi-legislative powers

Having a partly legislative character by possession of the right to make rules and regulations having the force of law.

quasi judicial powers

Actions of an agency, board, or other government entity in which there are hearings, orders, judgments, or other activities similar to those of courts.

specialization

the concentration of the productive efforts of individuals and firms on a limited number of activities

testifying powers

At any time, refuse to answer a question by claiming protection under the Fifth Amendment.